I traipsed in the rain to the Ashburton pub to catch the Sunderland game and it soon became apparent that one goal would settle the fixture and as the clock crept towards 70 your guts tightened, most likely it wasn't going to be us.

We dominated possession without making too many chances but Sunderland, the home team, created barely any chances at all until the ball plopped down in front of Bent. The real crime was the sloppy midfield pass that led to loss of possession and subsequent concession of the corner.

Up till then Sunderland had done zilch, save for Malbranque getting into a nice Traore shaped hole a couple of times and blasting aimlessly. We looked comfortable at the back even after Gallas began to hobble. Last season we were terrible there yet fluked a draw. This season we were competent. Dominated possession and screwed up. I would have been more depressed if we had played like last season's shower.

Of the top three this week, we had the crummiest fixture - away at a place we struggle to dominate nowadays. One commentator blathered that the Chavs and the Mancs are already pulling away but Manure have lost three and drawn at home to Sunderland. Win our game in hand and we are level on points with them. Win next Sunday and it is game on with the Chavs.

The end is not nigh although that has to be our last lacklustre fixture without eeking out at least a point. Yes, it is going to be a struggle without RVP unless Eduardo finds his killer instinct again. And Bendtner was definitely a miss. But at least we now have Walcott, Vela and others back. All is not yet doom and gloom. Let's collectively roar them onto an emphatic defeat of the Blue Monsters and erase last season's humiliation.